Loveland's Infinity Transitions provides alternative way to get on track

During the program, clients learn how to set goals and deal with their negative patterns

By Shelley Widhalm Reporter-Herald Staff Writer

Posted:
12/22/2012 06:37:54 PM MST

LOVELAND -- After 10 years of drug abuse, Megan Lee, now 27, knew she had to leave her hometown of El Paso to get sober.

Two weeks into her sobriety, Lee, who now lives in Loveland, credits the Infinity Transitions 12-week educational and therapeutic program that isn't like the typical 30-, 60- or 90-day treatment center.

"It's still a transition for me," Lee said. "I definitely like not sticking needles in every day and doing what I had to do for money. It's an exhausting life being a full-time addict."

Infinity Transitions, which founder Shelley Delich launched in October, does not have a building sign at its intake office at 231 W. Fourth St.

But that will change in early January, when the program moves into a warehouse space in the Anasazi Business Park and the staff expands from one to six. There will be enough room for a dance floor, coffee bar, pool tables, video games and a study area, along with a kitchen and office space.

"Right now, we're meeting at my house," said Delich, who lives in Loveland and, at one time, struggled with many of the same issues as her clients.

Entitlement Reversal

Delich, who has 15 years experience as an addictions counselor, created the methodology for the Infinity Transitions program to assist young people, generally ages 17-30, who struggle with drug and alcohol abuse, anger, motivation issues, laziness, selfishness, lack of direction and other self-defeating patterns and behaviors.

"We see the potential of young people that they are incapable of seeing," Delich writes in her brochure about the program. "Young people are not launching into a life of independence as they once did in previous generations. Young people have an innate ability to view themselves as the victim."

As victims, these young people blame their lack of success and personal circumstances on others, becoming powerless and unable to deal with failure or success.

But when they are empowered, they can find meaning in life and be self-directed, resourceful, compassionate and with integrity, Delich said. They can transform the world into a better place instead of creating conflict, she said.

Delich individualizes each client's education and support plan by conducting several learning assessments and personality tests, determining how they learn and what will engage them.

Her clients meet for four hours a day, five days a week for 12 weeks to engage in an intensive educational program. They learn how to live a life of meaning, take responsibility and gain empowerment for better decision making, while learning about triggers and self-defeating behaviors.

Alternative Approach

Most treatment centers that utilize the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous depend on accepting and internalizing the first step, which operates on the key concepts of powerlessness and unmanageability. But young people have not been empowered or self managed, making these concepts meaningless, Delich said in her brochure.

The treatment centers fail to provide long-term care, sending clients back into their original environments, where they can return to their self-destructive behaviors, Delich said.

In her program, Delich's clients have access to the social functions, study groups and support group meetings indefinitely, she said.

"Infinity means we'll be there as long as we need to be," Delich said.

During the program, clients learn how to set goals and deal with their negative patterns and behaviors through therapy, peer and family support, mentoring, tutoring services and social functions. They are assigned to a peer mentor to help them work through the process.

"It gives us a solid 12 weeks to be consistent with sobriety," said Theira Biggs-Fortier, a client who has more than two months of sobriety from drug abuse. "It's just amazing how it works."

Each day, the clients work through the curriculum and discuss personal issues, followed by a social activity, such as going to the movies, bowling or the museum, taking trips and hanging out together -- these replace their old activities.

"We help them realize there are fun, sober things to do," said Bree Cain, a peer mentor. "We came from the spot they were in, and it's completely doable."